Patriarch Visits Italian Parliament

ROME – Wednesday, June 11, 2014. Invited to the Italian Parliament, Patriarch Fouad Twal spoke about the situation of Christians in the Holy Land and the historic prayer meeting at the Vatican on Sunday, June 8, 2014.

Italy will do everything possible to have a more responsible role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, assured the Madam Speaker of the House, Laura Boldrini, at the end of Patriarch Twal’s visit to the Italian Parliament.

Before meeting with Madam President, His Beatitude reported on the situation, not always easy, for Christians in the Holy Land to the Commission on Human Rights, which brought together not only its members but also more senators sensitive to this problem.

At both meetings, the Patriarch spoke about the Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land, and stressed that alone the Pope succeeded in uniting both Presidents at

this historic moment last Sunday, in the Vatican gardens.

The Patriarch then thanked Italy for everything it is doing and for the silent work of many Italian men and women religious engaged in the fields of education, health and social services, who pray daily and give their lives for peace. He also expressed concern, a concern shared by the President, on what is happening in Iraq and the situation in Syria.

President Boldrini, referring to the next period of the Italian Presidency in Europe, expressed the hope that the European community does not abandon Israelis and Palestinians in the resolution of a conflict that has lasted too long and assured the Patriarch of her willingness to continue to work together to build bridges of peace and solidarity.